MLB Player News

Yates (4-1) picked up the extra-inning win Monday against the Astros, pitching two innings while allowing one unearned run and one walk. He struck out four.

The Texas closer entered during a 2-2 tie in the ninth inning and returned in the 10th to secure the win. Yates was charged with an unearned run when the automatic runner in extra innings scored after he plunked Jeremy Pena with the bases loaded. This marks the 23rd career win for the 37-year-old reliever, as he has pitched to a splendid 1.08 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB across 41.2 innings this season.

Jax picked up the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Cubs, pitching a scoreless inning with one strikeout. He allowed one hit.

Jax secured his first save since June 23, working around a Cody Bellinger single to wrap up the Twins' 63rd win of the season. Jhoan Duran worked the eighth inning, retiring the eight and nine hitters before allowing a double to Ian Happ and then striking out Michael Busch. Perhaps manager Rocco Baldelli will start using Jax in more save situations amid a tight AL Wild Card race as the 29-year-old has been better than Duran this season, pitching to a 2.01 ERA and 2.11 FIP -- versus Duran's 3.47 ERA and 3.91 FIP -- across 49.1 innings with an 11.9 K/9.

Slaten (elbow) has been cleared to throw up to 120 feet, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Slaten has been progressing through a throwing program after landing on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation July 12. He's yet to gain clearance for mound work but could get approval to do so shortly if all continues to go well in his rehab.

Miller (finger) threw a live bullpen session Monday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Miller is dealing with a fractured finger on his non-throwing hand and continued to throw bullpen sessions while he had a cast on. He played catch for the first time without the cast Saturday and has already advanced to facing batters. The standout 25-year-old becomes eligible to return Friday, though it's unclear if he'll need to miss additional time.

The Twins recalled Winder from Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Winder will take Steven Okert's spot in the big-league bullpen for an undetermined amount of time as Okert tends to personal issues. Winder has made only one appearance with Minnesota this season, allowing three runs across two innings. The 27-year-old hasn't fared much better with St. Paul, posting a 6.35 ERA in 34.0 innings.

The Twins placed Okert (personal) on the bereavement list Monday.

Okert will be away from the team for up to seven days as he tends to personal issues. In his stead, Josh Winder was called up from Triple-A St. Paul to serve out of the bullpen. Okert has a 4.45 ERA in 30.1 innings with the Twins this season.

Schreiber (knee) threw Monday for the first time without wearing a brace, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Schreiber was placed on the 15-day injured list July 29 with a right knee patella tendon injury, and Monday's update was the first since he hit the IL. While he's been progressing well, a return from the injured list doesn't seem imminent considering he hasn't started mound work.

The Royals announced that Altavilla (oblique) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Altavilla hasn't pitched since June 20 after suffering a strained right oblique and will begin a rehab stint Tuesday. However, he won't be eligible to return from the injured list until Aug. 19, so his stay at Omaha will last multiple weeks. The right-hander allowed six runs in 3.2 big-league innings this season.

Pressly's $14 million option for 2025 vested during Friday's 3-2 win over the Rays, when he made his 45th appearance of the season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Prior to the 2023 season, Pressly inked a two-year, $30 million extension that triggered a $14 million option if he appeared in 50 games in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons or if he appeared in 110 games between both seasons. Since he had already logged 65 appearances in 2023, Pressly was able to reach 110 with his scoreless inning Friday. The 35-year-old right-hander's strikeout rate continues to tumble downward from his peak years as Houston's closer, but he's remained dependable in his first season as a setup man for five-time All-Star Josh Hader. After a bumpy March and April, Pressly has settled in nicely and has provided a 0.51 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over his last 18 appearances while collecting 12 holds and a save during that stretch.

Hentges (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Hentges will throw in a game for the first time since being placed on the 15-day injured list July 12 with shoulder inflammation. It's unclear how many rehab outings Hentges will need before rejoining the Guardians bullpen, but he should be expected back sometime in mid-August.